As he prepares for hip surgery on Wednesday, Prince Philip, the 96 year-old husband to Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II, is again proving himself the ultimate gentleman-lad.
Lad, being British slang for a man who is confident, individual, and cheeky. I add the gentleman descriptor because Philip, formally known as the the Duke of Edinburgh, is respectful of his wife, family, and country.
Still, Philip’s greatest quality might well be his sense of humor. Over the past 60 years, the duke has made a number of jokes of various politically incorrect forms. This has earned him the close favor of his police protection officers (he likes to break security protocol by driving himself around or riding in the front passenger seat) and the British Army personnel he meets on frequent visits to bases.
Beyond that, Philip has also shown a great penchant for mastering the diplomatic arts.
He once accused the Soviet Union of murdering half his family, once described Ethiopian art as looking “like the kind of thing my daughter would bring back from school art lessons,” and once asked an Australian Aboriginal leader if his people “still throw spears at each other.”
In an era in which many are bucking against the tedious encroachment of political correctness, Philip is an archon for the independence of the mind.
Yet Philip also possesses a deep charm and a devotion to his wife that has earned him the great respect of most Britons.
He’s also a royal who, unlike his son, Prince Charles, can get along with just about anyone, whether they be a president or a recently released prisoner. That’s an important quality for a royal family still striving for continued relevance in the modern era.
Fortunately, his hip surgery aside, Philip’s excellent health means he likely has many years left ahead him.
